Fact Buster

Q: Does crossing your legs give you varicose veins?

A: No, it doesn't cause or exacerbate varicose veins.

Our expert: Dr Ken Myers

Published 08/10/2009

[Image source: iStockphoto]

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For many of us, varicose veins are an unwelcome part of the ageing process, and many women find them a good reason to start wearing longer skirts or dresses. But while you might find varicose veins unsightly, their effect is not just cosmetic.

Between 20 and 30 per cent of us have varicose veins, which are veins with weakened walls, causing them to bulge above the skin surface. This damage to the wall interferes with the vein's job of returning blood to the heart.

Varicose veins cause aching, itching, and sometimes complications such as eczema and ulcers. But if you've been uncrossing your legs to avoid this problem, your actions are (pardon the pun) in vain.

Leg crossing has no effect on your risk of varicose veins (or of the related spider veins, which are smaller and so-named because they look like spider webs), says Melbourne vein expert, Dr Ken Myers. And it won't make them any worse if you've already got them either.

More than 12 large studies have looked at risk factors for the condition and none have found leg crossing plays a part.

A mystery

So what does bring on varicose veins? It's thought genetics might play a role, especially since varicose veins tend to run in families. But the ultimate cause is a mystery.

One thing we do know, is that increased pressure in veins is not by itself a cause.

"We used to be taught that we got varicose veins because the backwards pressure of blood in the veins blows them up like a balloon," says Myers, spokesman for the Australasian College of Phlebology (which deals with the study of veins and their diseases).

"We now know that's incorrect. Once the damage to veins has started, then the back pressure effect can become a factor, but it's definitely not the cause."

And in any case, the notion leg crossing acts like a tourniquet is incorrect. Any increase in pressure in veins from crossing your legs would be 'minimal', Myers says. This is the reason this seating habit won't worsen existing varicose veins.

However, standing for long periods can increase pressure on the veins and make the condition worse, Myers says  although the effect is only slight.

Other factors known to exacerbate varicose veins include pregnancy (probably because of hormonal changes) and obesity (no-one knows why). But smoking, having high blood pressure or wearing high heels don't make any difference.

Treatment

Treatments for varicose veins generally involve closing off the affected veins  using either surgical or non-surgical means  which are then removed and/or absorbed by the body. This doesn't harm your circulation because other veins take over the job of the veins that no longer carry blood. But the disease may recur in previously unaffected veins.

But if invasive treatments don't appeal, you could try wearing simple support stockings. While they won't slow the disease down, they help reduce swelling, which might decrease your discomfort. Although they are unlikely to make you feel confident in a short skirt.

Dr Ken Myers is a clinical associate professor of surgery at Monash University, and also works in private practice at the Victoria Vein Clinic in Melbourne. He was interviewed by Cathy Johnson.